Devotees and onlookers flocked to Red Road in Kolkata to experience the vibrant Durga Puja Carnival, showcasing stunning idols from some of the city’s award-winning pandals. This year’s event, held on Sunday, October 5, 2025, marked the culmination of the Durga Puja festivities, illuminating the city with spectacular lights and cultural performances.
However, the Mamata Banerjee government’s decision to proceed with the carnival drew significant criticism against the backdrop of ongoing floods in northern Bengal, where at least 23 fatalities were reported in Darjeeling. As the Chief Minister prepared to visit affected regions the following day, her presence at the elaborate celebrations sparked sharp backlash from opposition parties.
Around 116 prominent Durga Puja committees participated in the carnival, attracting thousands of attendees eager to celebrate. Each pandal was allotted three minutes to present their idols, themes, and cultural acts. Chief Minister Banerjee, accompanied by senior ministers, engaged enthusiastically with the crowd, clapping along to the rhythmic beats of traditional drumming, supported by local celebrities who added to the festive atmosphere.
The Durga Puja carnival, introduced by Banerjee in 2017, has gained increasing momentum over the years. Notably, she began awarding honorariums to puja committees starting at ₹10,000 in 2018, which surged to ₹1.10 lakh by 2025. The significance of the festival was further bolstered when it was recognized by UNESCO in 2021 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In light of the events, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari posed a poignant question: “Why isn’t the Chief Minister eager to go to North Bengal quickly?” He criticized her focus on the carnival while communities in the north were dealing with devastation. Adhikari’s comments reflected growing concerns over perceived government neglect in addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by the floods. He highlighted the plight of the homeless, citing that at least 50,000 people from Cooch Behar to Kalimpong had lost their homes and 21 lives were claimed due to the disaster.
Echoing these sentiments, BJP State President Samik Bhattacharya underscored that the day was unsuitable for celebration, suggesting that the Chief Minister should have canceled the carnival in favor of addressing the needs of those affected by the floods.
Further criticism came from Md. Salim, State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), who questioned the appropriateness of holding a celebratory event amidst such a serious natural disaster. He remarked, “When floods and devastation in North Bengal are causing a procession of deaths, the city of Kolkata is holding a festive carnival.”
Amid these competing narratives, the Durga Puja Carnival continues to hold significant cultural importance in Kolkata, but the juxtaposition of celebration and tragedy has ignited vital discussions around government priorities and disaster response in West Bengal. The situation remains fluid, with all eyes on the state’s leadership as it seeks to balance cultural heritage with pressing humanitarian concerns.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/mamatas-carnival-push-as-north-bengal-reels-under-floods-gives-opposition-a-handle/article70128732.ece
Category : West Bengal
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-10-06 02:35:00
